CVE-2024-51587 in Definitive Addons for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/09/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Softfirm Definitive Addons for Elementor allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Definitive Addons for Elementor: from n/a through 1.5.16.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The CVE-2024-51587 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Softfirm Definitive Addons for Elementor plugin that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability exists within the web page generation process where input data is not properly sanitized or neutralized before being rendered in web pages. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the application's database and execute whenever affected pages are loaded, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems that rely heavily on user-generated content. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the Definitive Addons for Elementor plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.5.16, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed in the plugin's codebase.
This security weakness falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application vulnerability that occurs when user input is improperly validated or escaped during web page generation. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed against unsuspecting users who visit affected pages, unlike reflected XSS attacks that require user interaction with malicious links. The vulnerability exploits the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject script tags or other malicious payloads that can execute in the context of other users' browsers. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-51587 is significant for WordPress websites utilizing the Definitive Addons for Elementor plugin, as it can lead to complete compromise of user sessions and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to hijack user accounts, steal cookies, access sensitive content, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even if the initial injection occurs during content creation, the malicious scripts continue to execute until the vulnerability is patched or the affected content is removed. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrators and regular users may be exposed to the same malicious content. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potential service disruption and reputational damage for organizations relying on compromised websites.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Definitive Addons for Elementor plugin where the XSS flaw has been patched. Until such updates are available, administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as input validation at the web application firewall level, content security policies to restrict script execution, and regular monitoring of user-generated content for suspicious patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security testing during software development, particularly for plugins that handle user input and generate dynamic web content. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all installed plugins and themes, implement regular security audits, and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify similar vulnerabilities across their web infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.008 technique for 'Scripting' and T1566.001 for 'Phishing', emphasizing the need for layered defensive strategies including user education and network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts.